Can anyone please explain what tests they may do now for me - been TTC DC2 for over 12 months...

[Katnisscupcake]

Hi there,

So, I had DC1 when I was 34 (two weeks before my 35th birthday). I'm now just less than a month away from my 39th birthday and have been TTC since April last year.

I had an MC in July last year that they suspected might have been ectopic but it was a natural MC at 5 weeks so they couldn't tell. The only reason they thought it might be is that I had a normal AF and then on CD6 just didn't feel right so took a test and it was BFP. Then I started bleeding again a couple of days later.

Anyway, roll forward to now and I have OVd every month (using CM checking, OPKs and Temping) on CD15 (once on CD16). But for the past 5 months or so, I have started spotting earlier and earlier in the month which always coincided with a drop in temperature, not below cover-line but by about .2.

So I went to the GP, talked through my symptoms and suggested to him that I think I was lacking in Progesterone. They did the Day21 (or Day22 in my case) test which showed that I had OVd but they also did one on Day24 which showed a big drop (which had also coincided in my temp drop that day).

He called the fertility clinic who said to give me Progesterone for 3 months.

I'm now on my second month. Previous to taking the progesterone I had been spotting between DPO9-DPO13 (but recently closer to DPO9) but last month on the progesterone it was even earlier - DPO7! Again coinciding with a temp dip. The spotting was definitely less than previous months though (noticeable when wiping once a day as opposed to a few times a day previously).

So today is DPO7. This morning I got a temp dip so I assume that the spotting will start this evening (last month I had the first noticeable bit at about 10pm).

By the way, I am using the progesterone rectally so I know that isn't causing the spotting.

So what will they do now. I need to make a decision as to whether I keep wanting to put myself through all this. It's taking it's toll on my relationship and I feel that I'm not focusing enough on DD because I feel worried about it most of the time.

I have acne and lose a lot of my hair, plus I have pain a lot of my cycle in my ovary area. So I'm wondering if it might be PCOS. When the GP asked me I said I didn't think so because I OV regularly every month and at the MC last year they scanned my ovaries and there were no cysts. However I do have a couple of 'hairs' that appear on my stomach up towards my belly button (literally a couple), but I've heard that can be a sign.

I just want to know what tests they might do now.

Thank you for reading.

Sorry this is so long!!!

I'm interested in this as well. I went to my GP after a year of trying for my third dc but I was told that I couldn't have any treatment or scans because my hormone tests were fine.
Like you I have some cycles where I lose chunks of hair and I have hormonal spots on my face, neck and back as well as a few stray hairs and heavy, painful periods. But my GP wouldn't entertain the idea of PCOS as he says its a life long condition and doesn't just appear later on.
I hope your GP is a more helpful than mine. I will check back to see if someone else might have more information.

You can have a temp dip in the second half of your cycle when an egg has not been shed so charting itself is not infallible. It is also possible to have periods without ovulating.

A test that has not been done seemingly in your case is the Day 2 one where the levels of LH and FSH are compared against each other. If these levels are awry then ovulation is affected to its detriment.

You should be further assessed to see if PCOS is present, I would say that this could well be present. BTW the cystic follicles with PCOS can and do disappear, only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. Any scan or test result done over 6 months ago should be discounted, you need up to date test results.

Also PCOS should not be painful, if you are getting deep pain this should be investigated further by a gynaecologist.

Thank you Attila. I am definitely ovulating though as my temps after CD15 rise up and stay up (well above the coverline) and the temp dip happens when the spotting starts, it does then go up again, but just not as high as the previous temps as the spotting continues until AF kicks in. Plus the progesterone test confirmed that I was OVing. So it appears to be a problem with the LP part of my cycle, which until a year ago was also always a regular 14 day LP. I have had regular cycles since DD was born (difficult to say before as I was on the pill).

When I say I get pains during my cycle, it's not deep pain, it's just twinges, but I notice them, particularly because they come after AF but before OV so it seems strange timing.

But I agree that I do think it can be PCOS related. Can PCOS cause spotting? I've read that the cysts can bleed which causes spotting... My periods are 'normal' not heavy, last about 5 days (not including the spotting), a couple of medium days, one heavy day and a couple of light days.

I suggested the Day 2 (although I said Day 3 to the GP) test to check the FSH and LH hormones and he said that he didn't think I'd need that.

I will push to have that done again.

How will they test for PCOS?

Thingy, I was surprised that the GP suggested PCOS for me, but now I think he could have made a good suggestion. I also have bad spots on face (around chin), neck, chest and back and have had it since I was about 17. But because I was on the pill for it (dianette) and it worked, I never investigated it further. I don't have the heavy periods though. My cycles were regular (well 29/30 days) as soon as I came off the pill and I fell PG the first month, had an early MC and then after a months break, fell PG again with DD. So this certainly seems to have been something that has become worse over time...

I would push for the PCOS tests. If you've been on the pill, that may well have hidden symptoms I guess...

Right, I've got a telephone appointment with a GP tonight so that he can refer me to have all the blood tests done with the nurse for PCOS.

I've taken the plunge.

I know exactly which cycle day I'm on (7DPO) and I know that I will have to wait to have the CD1 (or 3) test, but hopefully they will be able to do some of them now (Testosterone etc).

Good luck with that. I do find it strange how the tests you receive vary depending on your area and even down to individual doctors. Keep pushing for tests. I'm going back if this cycle is a fail because I strongly believe that if I didnt have the "TTC" tag on my medical notes then they would take my symptoms more seriously.

Thingy it's just wrong isn't it...

Down here (in the far South-West), the GPs are probably grateful that it's someone TTCing and not someone over 65 as we are definitely in the minority. I imagine that's why getting tested for various things is slightly easier...

I was amazed that the GP just called the Fertility Clinic, told them what I'd said about my cycles and that I had decided on my own that I had Low Progesterone in my LP and they just told him to go ahead and prescribe it!! I thought I was going to have a real fight on my hands!